Page 96 of Mafia and Protector
“I was planning on something more relaxing, with soft, neutral tones, if you like that idea too?”
“We’ve got plenty of time to figure it all out—nurseries, toys and everything else. And it’s all things I want to do with you. We’ll do it all together,” I grinned at her.
JESSICA
A couple of weeks later, I thought to myself that I could get used to all the spoiling I was getting now that I was pregnant.
I was sitting on the chair in front of the vanity in the bathroom, watching Rafael run a bath for me in the soaker tub. As I sat back in my robe, I watched the steam billow as the water rushed into the tub, mixing with the scented bath oils he had added, leading to lovely clouds of scent rising into the air.
I inhaled the smell of orange blossom and could already feel the tension easing from my muscles. Not that I had much to feel tense about these days.
It was as if Rafael and I were having our honeymoon. He was ecstatic about the coming baby, as was I, and he wanted to pamper me as much as possible. He was determined this pregnancy would turn out alright and that there would be no hiccups along the way.
Thinking back over the last year, I knew how lucky I was to have a man like Rafael as my husband. It had floored me when he'd suggested that he come to some of the therapy sessions with me. But he insisted that he wanted to do it for me, for us, and for our future together.
Once the tub was full, he took my hand and gently pulled me up to my feet. “Let’s get this off you,” he said, his hands slipping the robe from my shoulders.
His eyes traveled over my body as his fingertips skimmed my arms.
“Christ, Jess, I love your body when you’re pregnant—all the soft curves and dips.” His hands ran over my full breasts before reaching my belly and lingering over the small bump of our baby.
He led me to the tub and helped me in, only letting go of my hand once I had safely sat down in the water. He was probably being overcautious, though I couldn’t blame him given what had happened last time. I was being as careful as possible as well, although some sort of inner peace within me told me that everything was going to be alright this time around.
I felt so much calmer this time and there was no stress hanging over my head. I wanted to completely enjoy this pregnancy and for it to be an entirely different experience. Although nothing would make me ever forget the other baby and I prayed for it every day, this time giving me an opportunity to reflect on my emotions.
As I sank back into the water, I watched Rafael walk toward the door. “Aren’t you going to join me in the tub?” The bath was definitely big enough for us both and we had come to enjoy soaking in it together. It was a time when he would lie back and relax, and we could enjoy each other’s company and make small talk about our day and the baby. We talked about all sorts of baby things, from names to my birthing plan and even our wishes for our child when he or she grew up.
Perhaps it was obsessive talking so much about the baby, but it made me happy and helped me relax.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” replied Rafael. “I’m just going to get something.” I rested my head on the edge of the tub, reveling in the soothing water, which was blissfully hot, just as I liked.
A couple of minutes later, Rafael returned with two glasses of iced water and a bowl of strawberries. “Just in case you get hungry or thirsty.” He grinned and I laughed.
“You know me too well. I’m always hungry at the moment.” As the heat of the water seeped into my body, I sipped at the coolness of the cold water. Rafael held a succulent red strawberry to my lips, and I took a bite while looking into his eyes.
“This is my idea of heaven,” I sighed, as I let the juicy flavor of the fruit explode over my tongue. “Now all I need is for you to get those clothes off and get in the tub with me,” I said while raising an eyebrow.
I watched while he undressed in front of me. He had worked from home today and was wearing slim jeans and a fitted shirt. He peeled them from his body and as he pulled down his boxer briefs, I saw his cock spring free and felt my insides stir.
He stepped into the tub and sat down behind me, pulling me back between his thighs and letting my head relax against his chest. “That’s better,” he murmured. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you,” he said as he kissed the top of my head.
***
Tonight, Bella was coming over to dinner. I understood now why Rafael didn’t want her coming to the Monday Post-Mortem—because that was when the boys talked business—but she normally came over another night of the week. To be honest, it was probably for the best that she wasn’t there for the post-mortem, since that might put her off the family even more.
As it was, relations between her and the family were getting a little less strained. We hoped that, in time, she would accept us as her family. The Santinos were happy to accept her; the guys, in particular, wanted to keep her safe. I sensed that she still wasn’t entirely comfortable with the criminal element of our world, but that was part and parcel of who we were and wasn’t ever going to change.
Nate and Nancia would be at the dinner tonight as well. The war between the Società and the Venetis had escalated after Gabriel told them that we wouldn’t honor Nancia’s engagement contract. The brothers were determined to keep Nancia safe, and Nate had become much more focused on his training lately.
An unusual turn of events had been the disappearance of Leoluca Veneti approximately six months after the broken engagement. If the Venetis knew where he was, they were keeping that information very close to their chests. It unnerved Rafael and his brothers that they did not know the exact location of Leoluca, nor his intentions toward their sister.
Over the last year, Nancia had become quieter. The knowledge that her father had raped both Bella’s mom and me was a shock to her, as was the situation with the engagement contract. We were all keeping an eye on her, especially Nate. She was safe for now, and we would never allow the Venetis to have her.
***
A few days later, Rafael and I were out on our morning run. I could feel his gaze on me.
I looked over my shoulder to see his eyes traveling up my legs. “Are you checking out my ass again?” I giggled.